Of these, Patterson's Coercion theory is referred to in the investigation of family types and their role in producing criminal behavior. Patterson posits the idea that overly relaxed families produce "covert antisocial behavior," which includes crimes such as lying, stealing, and property damage and usually begins early in life (10). Conversely, harsh families produce "overt antisocial behavior," starting later in a life. This specific type of behavior includes person-oriented crimes (11). Therefore, one can suppose that an unstable family is at a higher risk for influencing their children to commit crime. .
Additionally, Albert Bandura states that crime is learned by observing others (Schmalleger 214). (Bandura developed this idea after conducting experiments in which children observed adults participating in a specific behavior. The children could then be seen repeating the behaviors which they had observed (Schmalleger 214)). In Criminology Today, Bandura uses the example of adult role models striking inflatable cartoon characters in the presence of children (214). Bandura confirms his hypothesis after observing the children repeat similar acts (214). When r elating these studies to crime one can assume that a child is likely to imitate criminal behavior in a similar way. If a child observes a role model participating in criminal activities, it is likely that they too will commit similar types of crime. .
Furthermore, it is a well-known fact that many criminals come from low-income families; leading one to believe that poverty is a distinct influence of criminal behavior. This idea can be traced through modern history, as Douglas Massy does in his essay found in Crime and Criminals. He states that, "We have entered a new age of inequality in which class lines will grow more rigid as they are amplified and reinforced by a process of geographical concentration (32)." .
Massy's ideas are supported by a brief summary of recent changes in the geographical concentration of the rich and the poor.
